The Legendary Founder of Korea, Dangun Wanggeom

According to Korean tradition, Dangun Wanggeom (known also as Dangun or Tangun) was the legendary founder of Gojoseon (or ‘Old Joseon’), the first recorded state in Korean history. This state occupied the northern part of the Korean peninsula and parts of northeast China (specifically the Chinese provinces of Liaoning and Jilin). Evidence for this occupation is supported by artifacts associated with the Gojoseon culture, such as mandolin-shaped bronze daggers and dolmens, found in those areas.

Like many other ancient figures, archaeological records have little to say about Dangun. Therefore, one has to turn to written sources and tradition to know more about this famous figure.

The Legend of Dangun

The earliest recorded versions of the legend of Dangun are found in the Samguk Yusa (‘The Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms’) and the Jewang Ungi (‘Rhymed Chronicles of Sovereigns’). Both of these pieces of writing were produced towards the end of the 13th century AD. The legend of Dangun begins by introducing his grandfather, Hwan-in, and his father, Hwan-ung. Hwan-in was called the ‘Lord of Heaven’, whilst Hwan-ung was one of Hwan-in’s younger sons.

Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms displayed in Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Koreanology Studies. (Public Domain)